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On Wednesday, Florida economist Hank Fishkind told Palm Beach Gardens community leaders that they have the best site in the state for baseball spring training and that a decision on whether to allow a complex “will really affect the trajectory of growth” for the area’s economy.

Fishkind’s address to the PGA Corridor Association came one day before the city council was to vote on whether to yield to neighbors’ objections and eliminate from contention a 117-acre site near Central Boulevard favored by the Houston Astros and Toronto Blue Jays.

Fishkind & Associates’ clients include Tradition Land Co., for whom Fishkind serves as developer for the Tradition project in Port St. Lucie. Tradition Field, home for the Mets spring training camp in St. Lucie West, is named for the Tradition project.

Fishkind said the city is the best site because it’s a place with brand appeal that more of the public would want to visit.

Fishkind acknowledged that “nobody likes to live next to the stadium” but said that it’s up to the Gardens political leadership to consider the larger community benefits. “There’s a significant opportunity here,” he said.

Palm Beach County Commissioner Hal Valeche and county staff are in the midst of review of other possible sites for the proposed stadium.